Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Can't Remember!


I really wish I could remember what happened this week. I know we had a crazy day when Elder Souza's bike tire exploded. But other than that not too much I can remember. Sorry! I'm terrible! I did receive a package this week! Thank you so much! I loved it! Always so great to get packages. And I also have been really bad at taking pictures too :( Sorry! But I'll send what good ones I do have. I guess I can remember one good thing from this week. We had splits on Wednesday and I had to teach the Plan of Salvation by myself. It's a really different lesson because it talks a lot about doctrine. And it's just a long lesson. Anyways, I left there feeling ok about the lesson, but feeling we'd probably have to teach it again. But then we came back the next day to follow up with Elder Souza and she completely remembered and understood everything! So, we didn't have any baptisms this week, but we have one planned for the 1st and hopefully another for the 8th. We will see what happens though! Love you and thank you!


ADDED from audio:

And then we taught Cala, the one lady whose husband was a returned missionary that kind of fell away from the church. He said tonight that he might not have come to church for a while but he’s never (what’s the word in English) he’s never (people it's real, I think I’ve forgot how to speak English) Negar is the word. Negar, negar. Give me a second. Give me a second. I’m looking it up here in this dictionary. Deny. That’s the word. He would never deny his testimony and his mission. He’s coming back strong to the church and that’s going to help her a ton.


Monday, October 19, 2015

New Companion!

A lot of the conference talks this year were about looking through heavens eyes (at least that's what I got out of some of them). When we try to change our perspective, everything is put in our path to help us grow. Transfers were great! Elder Souza is my new companion. He's another native Brazilian and got to the mission the transfer after I did. He's lived in Brazil his whole life but speaks English because he learned it from Disney Channel and music. So that's sweet. Elder Naressi helped my proper Portuguese, and now I have a really solid base in that. Elder Souza is helping me to speak more like a native! Slang, accent, songs, everything! It's super fun. I had a really cool experience the other day actually. So my trainer just got transferred out and I just got a new companion. I've been in the field for 3 transfers and him 2 transfers. So that makes me senior companion. So I take the lead on stuff. The weirdest part is that he's native Brazilian. Lived in Manaus his whole life. Anyways, we had a dinner appointment and it was so good. I used some of the slang he taught me, told some jokes I made up. It was great. We were laughing, they were laughing. Just an all-around great time. But then came the message. I wasn't scared to share it because it was in Portuguese. But usually with my old companion I didn't get to talk much. Cause he talked A LOT. Anyways, I shared the lesson, it wasn't too great, I testified at the end and then I looked at Ingrid. And she was bawling. And then I looked at Andrew. And they were bawling. It hit me so hard. Like, a brick wall actually. That I'm actually making a difference. Up until that point I hadn't really realized how far along my Portuguese had come, but even more importantly that I was actually making a difference in the lives of those I was teaching. It made my heart swell with so much gladness it's insane. But I'm doing super well. I don't know what's going to happen in the next transfer, but I love being in this branch and I love the work here. It's starting to pick up a little bit! Change in an area is always good. I'll be sure to attach some recordings too! Love y'all!



Rodizio De Pizza (with Elder Narezzi)
It was so good. I ate 13 pieces....#worthit

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Transfer Week!


This week for us not too much crazy happened. We had two exchanges this week. One with the Zone leaders and one with Camino Gardens. Not too much crazy happened though. Maybe something did, but I just can't remember. If it did I recorded it. OK! So transfers! I'll be staying again! So my address is the same! Woohoo! But I won't be training. Which is a relief and not. But it's gonna be awesome. I don't know who my new companion will be yet. It could be another Brazilian or an American who came a few transfers after me. So we will find out on Wednesday! Sister Jeppson and Sister Montague are also leaving our district. But everyone else is staying. We also don't know who the new District Leader will be. So that's some good suspense. Sorry I can't remember what happened this week! Ope, just remembered. After a few months of wanting to teach Caliane's mom, we finally got to! She's so excited to find out for sure if this gospel will change her life! It was such a good lesson too! Alright, well, I'll attach pictures and explanations as well as some recordings! Love ya'll!


Elder Narezzi's last day with the Ferraz family




Sister Haw's sister sent a picture of all of us with our faces put onto Avengers bodies. So we did our best to re-enact it. We made the same faces as in the picture.



We had a "Halloween Party" last P-day with the Zone. I was a soccer player and a judge for the runway show and the pumpkin carving contest. Sister Rianda is the cow and Sister Jackson is Wonder Woman.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Conference Rejuvenation!

Conference was amazing. It was a great time for us to relax physically and be rejuvenated spiritually as well. I'll definitely be re-reading all of the talks. I do eat a lot, but I'll have you know I work out and run quite a bit too. And yes my clothing still fits. I'll do my best to continue to send a weekly letter. Though when I record, I kind of let it slip out of my mind cause of everything else that needs to be in there. But I'll try my best. Last P-day we ended a little early because we had a lesson marked at 5. Though that lesson didn't go as well, we had another set up for right after. We went to this next lesson and she was all dressed up, all fancy. The table was set for dinner and everything. So we shared a message, which went AMAZING and then she fed us. Double win. We haven't been able to meet with her since, and we think it's because of her husband. We don't have her phone number, only his, so it's hard to see how she is actually doing. We think he might be sabotaging us. I hope not. I'll continue to send pictures as always. Love you all and thanks for the love!


PS He did say he missed out on not having Conference Crunch to help keep him awake :) Especially as he watched Sunday afternoon session in Portuguese.



We found a fireman (and he plays the bagpipes)



The best pizza EVER!



Chicken Hearts - sometimes good, sometimes not